“The Government and the people of Pakistan warmly welcome the announcement of the Royal Visit by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Pakistan this year.”

“The people of Pakistan still cherish and fondly recall the visits of The Queen to Pakistan during 1961 and 1997.”

“The upcoming royal visit is a reflection of the importance the United Kingdom attaches to its relations with Pakistan. The two countries enjoy historical links which both sides wish to strengthen further.”

This should be an interesting tour. If I am not mistaken, it is over a decade since a senior member of the BRF visited Pakistan. With Imran Khan as the new PM, the timing could well be designed to help improve the level of engagement with Pakistan.

This should be an interesting tour. If I am not mistaken, it is over a decade since a senior member of the BRF visited Pakistan. With Imran Khan as the new PM, the timing could well be designed to help improve the level of engagement with Pakistan.

Yes, the last royal tour was Charles and Camilla in 2006. The queen last went in 1997.

Definitely an unexpected announcement. Thought perhaps Japan. But maybe Charles and Camilla will be the first sent to Japan and Thailand to meet the new kings. It would be more fitting for the heir.

Prince Charles will probably attend the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito representing the Queen, so there is no need for a separate official tour of Japan. Besides, he met Naruhito many times before when he was still the Crown Prince. They know each other very well.

I must say Pakistan was a surprise to me. Although it is the most populated country in the Commonwealth after India, it is not a big economy and I wouldn't see it as a priority for the FCO in the post-Brexit era. Besides, it is a tour that will require extra security for the Duke and Duchess due to the ongoing level of terrorist activity in Pakistan.

It would make more practical sense if the Duke and Duchess also visited India after Pakistan, but if that were planned, it would have been announced already.

I must say Pakistan was a surprise to me. Although it is the most populated country in the Commonwealth after India, it is not a big economy and I wouldn't see it as a priority for the FCO in the post-Brexit era. Besides, it is a tour that will require extra security for the Duke and Duchess due to the ongoing level of terrorist activity in Pakistan.

It would make more practical sense if the Duke and Duchess also visited India after Pakistan, but if that were planned, it would have been announced already.

I don't thik the Pakistant trip is about economics, it is about re-engaging the country after a difficult decade and a half.

What an interesting choice for the FCO, I wonder how this was decided. That said, I am very much looking forward to this one, and I'm especially looking forward to seeing which causes and initiatives the Cambridges choose to highlight during the tour.